Abstract: A position sensor comprises a magneto-resistive element. The magneto-resistive element comprises a stack of layers including at least a conductive layer in between two magnetic layers. The layers have a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a lateral extension along a transverse axis. A magnet is provided comprising a magnetic dipole with a dipole axis orthogonal to a plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. The electrical resistance of the conductive layer depends on a position of the magnet along the longitudinal axis. The position sensor provides for nano-scale sensing.

Abstract: A computer program product for positioning an actuator, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. The program instructions are executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to perform a method that includes generating or receiving, by the processing circuit, a first value representative of a lateral position of a tape, and using, by the processing circuit, the first value to adjust a position of a coarse actuator for moving a magnetic head in response to determining that the first value is in a first range relative to a first threshold. An integrator value is used by the processing circuit to adjust the position of the coarse actuator in response to determining that the first value is in a second range relative to the first threshold.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for position sensing comprises a magnetic field source and a magnetoresistive element arranged in a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source, which magnetoresistive element provides an output signal (R) dependent on a position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source. A feedback controller is configured to receive the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element and is configured to adjust one or more of the position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source and a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source acting on the magnetoresistive element dependent on the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: An apparatus for programming at least one multi-level Phase Change Memory (PCM) cell having a first terminal and a second terminal. A programmable control device controls the PCM cell to have a respective cell state by applying at least one current pulse to the PCM cell, the control device controlling the at least one current pulse by applying a respective first pulse to the first terminal and a respective second pulse applied to the second terminal of the PCM cell. The respective cell state is defined by a respective resistance level. The control device receives a reference resistance value defining a target resistance level for the cell, and further receives an actual resistance value of said PCM cell such that the applying the respective first pulse and said respective second pulse is based on said actual resistance value of the PCM cell and said received reference resistance value.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes generating track following controller state information based on a positional signal of a head relative to a medium. One or more portions of the state information corresponding to particular frequencies are used to determine at least one of: lateral tape movement, tape skew, vibration operation conditions, and roller performance.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a trajectory function to be followed by a physical system includes providing the trajectory function; determining a set of sampling points by sampling a trajectory based on the trajectory function in the time domain; associating a cell to each of the sampling points; assessing at least one cell metric for each of the cells; aggregating the at least one cell metric of the cells to obtain an aggregated metric measure; and evaluating the trajectory as determined by the provided trajectory function depending on the one or more aggregated metric measures.

Abstract: An apparatus for programming at least one multi-level Phase Change Memory (PCM) cell having a first terminal and a second terminal. A programmable control device controls the PCM cell to have a respective cell state by applying at least one current pulse to the PCM cell, the control device controlling the at least one current pulse by applying a respective first pulse to the first terminal and a respective second pulse applied to the second terminal of the PCM cell. The respective cell state is defined by a respective resistance level. The control device receives a reference resistance value defining a target resistance level for the cell, and further receives an actual resistance value of said PCM cell such that the applying the respective first pulse and said respective second pulse is based on said actual resistance value of the PCM cell and said received reference resistance value.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for position sensing comprises a magnetic field source and a magnetoresistive element arranged in a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source, which magnetoresistive element provides an output signal (R) dependent on a position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source. A feedback controller is configured to receive the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element and is configured to adjust one or more of the position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source and a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source acting on the magnetoresistive element dependent on the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program product embodiments for improving track-follow control in a tape storage system, by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises, using an accelerometer to dynamically detect device vibration for determining whether to implement a vibration compensation control mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for controlling a lateral position of a tape head of a magnetic tape drive. Aspects include determining a first servo signal by reading position marks from a first servo band on a magnetic tape using a first sensor and determining a second servo signal by reading position marks from a second servo band on the magnetic tape using a second sensor. Aspects also include delaying the first servo signal relative to the second servo signal by a delay and calculating an average signal based on the first and the delayed second servo signal. Aspects further include determining servo information from the average signal indicative of a deviation of the lateral position of the tape head from an ideal lateral position of the tape head and controlling the tape head to adjust its lateral position such that the deviation is decreased.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program product embodiments for improving track-follow control in a tape storage system, by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises, using an accelerometer to dynamically detect device vibration for determining whether to implement a vibration compensation control mechanism.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program product embodiments for improving track-follow control in a tape storage system, by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises, time-varying filtering an error feedback signal within a closed-loop tape controller to dampen varying motor and harmonic disturbances.

Abstract: A neuromorphic processing device has a device input, for receiving an input data signal, and an assemblage of neuron circuits. Each neuron circuit comprises a resistive memory cell which is arranged to store a neuron state, indicated by cell resistance, and to receive neuron input signals for programming cell resistance to vary the neuron state, and a neuron output circuit for supplying a neuron output signal in response to cell resistance traversing a threshold. The device includes an input signal generator, connected to the device input and the assemblage of neuron circuits, for generating neuron input signals for the assemblage in dependence on the input data signal. The device further includes a device output circuit, connected to neuron output circuits of the assemblage, for producing a device output signal dependent on neuron output signals of the assemblage, whereby the processing device exploits stochasticity of resistive memory cells of the assemblage.

Abstract: A resistive memory cell is connected in circuitry which has a first input terminal for applying neuron input signals including a read portion and a write portion. The circuitry includes a read circuit producing a read signal dependent on resistance of the memory cell, and an output terminal providing a neuron output signal, dependent on the read signal in a first state of the memory cell. The circuitry also includes a storage circuit storing a measurement signal dependent on the read signal, and a switch set operable to supply the read signal to the storage circuit during application of the read portion of each neuron input signal to the memory cell, and, after application of the read portion, to apply the measurement signal in the apparatus to enable resetting of the memory cell to a second state.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program product embodiments for improving track-follow control in a tape storage system, by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises, time-varying filtering an error feedback signal within a closed-loop tape controller to dampen varying motor and harmonic disturbances.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program product embodiments for improving track-follow control in a tape storage system using a time-varying filter, by a processor device, are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises, dynamically updating coefficients used to determine parameters of the time-varying filter based upon a reel radius and a reel rotation to reduce computation delay.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the transport of a tape within a tape transport system, the tape transport system having a head being operable to read data from and/or write data to the tape, an outboard reel and an inboard reel, wherein the tape is moveable from the outboard reel to the inboard reel in forward direction or from the inboard reel to the outboard reel in reverse direction, wherein the control device is adapted to generate control signals to control the velocity of the outboard reel and the velocity of the inboard reel as a function of a primary velocity of the tape at the head and a secondary velocity of the tape at the inboard reel and/or a secondary velocity of the tape at the outboard reel.

Abstract: Neuromorphic synapse apparatus 11 comprises a memelement 20 for storing a synaptic weight, and programming logic 21. The memelement 20 is adapted to exhibit a desired programming characteristic. The programming logic 21 is responsive to a stimulus prompting update of the synaptic weight for generating a programming signal for programming the memelement 20 to update said weight. The programming logic 21 may be responsive to an input signal indicating an input weight-change value ?Wi, and may be adapted to generate a programming signal dependent on the input weight-change value ?Wi. The programming logic 21 is adapted such that the programming signals exploit the programming characteristic of the memelement 20 to provide a desired weight-dependent synaptic update efficacy.

Abstract: A method for determining of a position of an object using a sensor arrangement that includes a first magnetoresistive element and a second magnetoresistive element. A source provides a magnetic field with first and second magnetic poles. The source is arranged between the first magnetoresistive element and the second magnetoresistive element with the first magnetic pole facing the first magnetoresistive element and the second magnetic pole facing the second magnetoresistive element. The first magnetoresistive element is arranged in the magnetic field and provides a first output signal dependent on a position of the first magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source. The second magnetoresistive element is arranged in the magnetic field and provides a second output signal dependent on a position of the second magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for position sensing comprises a first magnetoresistive element (1) and a second magnetoresistive element (2). A magnetic field source (3) provides a magnetic field with a first magnetic pole (N) and a second magnetic pole (S). The magnetic field source (3) is arranged between the first magnetoresistive element (1) and the second magnetoresistive element (2) with the first magnetic pole (N) facing the first magnetoresistive element (1) and the second magnetic pole (S) facing the second magnetoresistive element (2). The first magnetoresistive element (1) is arranged in the magnetic field and provides a first output signal (R1) dependent on a position of the first magnetoresistive element (1) relative to the magnetic field source (3). The second magnetoresistive element (2) is arranged in the magnetic field and provides a second output signal (R2) dependent on a position of the second magnetoresistive element (2) relative to the magnetic field source (3).